Drovers take it down to the line

CHICKASHA – Both Drover games went into the last seconds Thursday night trying to pull off another home win but fell to John Brown University in the end.

The Drover women had a strong defensive game against John Brown. The Thursday night battle went into overtime, where John Brown overtook USAO 67-66.

Senior Aita Gueye had 18 points and eight rebounds on the night. Sophomore Tashina Ototivo had one of her better games of the season with 15 points and nine rebounds, and Korie Hargus scored another 10 for the Drovers.

The Drover men fought a tough game and while they didn’t hold the lead at all in the second half, the game was within reach in the last 12 seconds of the game when Phillip Harris scored a big three-pointer off an assist by Trell Porter, bring the game within two.

Unfortunately for the Drovers, successful free throws by John Brown in the last few seconds gave the Golden Eagles a 75-69 victory.

USAO’s Sahlih Butts had 19 points in the game after shooting 75 percent from the field. Sophomore forward Kenneth Durham added another 14 to the Drovers’ total, and junior Trell Porter had 11 on the night.

The men are 10-15 overall and 6-13 in conference play. The Drover women went into Saturday night’s game are 7-19 overall and 3-16 in conference play.

It was Homecoming and Alumni Night at the USAO Fieldhouse. Mason Dobbins and Nina Lawrence were named the 2011 Homecoming King and Queen.

The Drovers play again Saturday evening at home against Rogers State University. Tip off is at 6 and 8 p.m.